U.S. patent application number 14/653935 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-19 for mounting cup and collar assembly for plastics aerosol container.
This patent application is currently assigned to PETAPAK IP LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is PETAPAK IP LIMITED. Invention is credited to Asim Salameh.
Application Number | 20150329273 14/653935 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54060601 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150329273 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Salameh; Asim |
November 19, 2015 |
MOUNTING CUP AND COLLAR ASSEMBLY FOR PLASTICS AEROSOL CONTAINER
Abstract
A container for dispensing an aerosol product. The container (1)
includes a body (2) formed of plastics material such as PET, and a
mounting cup and collar assembly (53). The body (2) includes a neck
(10) defining an opening (50) having internal and external walls
(51 and 52), respectively. The mounting cup and collar assembly
(53) is formed of malleable 10 material, and is shaped to straddle
the internal and external walls (51 and 52) of the opening (50),
and be crimped to the external wall (52) of the neck (10). The
mounting cup and collar assembly (53) is preferably of unitary
construction, and, includes a lining (60) on its inner surface to
assist in providing a seal between the components.
Inventors: |
Salameh; Asim; (Shah Alam,
Selangor Darul Ehsan, MY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PETAPAK IP LIMITED |
George Town, Grand Cayman |
|
KY |
|
|
Assignee: |
PETAPAK IP LIMITED
George Town, Grand Cayman
KY
|
Family ID: |
54060601 |
Appl. No.: |
14/653935 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
December 6, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/MY2013/000263 |
371 Date: |
June 19, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/402.1 ;
29/511 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/40 20130101;
B29L 2031/712 20130101; B65D 83/38 20130101; B29C 49/08 20130101;
Y10T 29/4992 20150115; B21J 9/06 20130101; B29K 2067/003
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/38 20060101
B65D083/38; B21J 9/06 20060101 B21J009/06; B29C 49/08 20060101
B29C049/08; B65D 83/40 20060101 B65D083/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 24, 2012 |
MY |
2012005592 |
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27. A container for dispensing an aerosol product, including: a
body, formed of plastics material such as PET, including a neck
defining an opening having internal and external walls, said
external wall including at least one groove, indentation or
undercut therearound; and, a mounting cup and collar assembly,
formed of malleable material, which is shaped to straddle the
internal and external walls of said opening, and be secured to said
external wall of said neck, wherein said assembly is adapted to be
crimped to form at least one swaged ring to thereby engage with
said groove, indentation or undercut around said external wall of
said neck.
28. The container of claim 27, wherein said mounting cup and collar
assembly includes a skirt depending therefrom which is adapted to
be secured to the external wall of said neck.
29. The container of claim 27, wherein said mounting cup and collar
assembly is of unitary construction.
30. The container of claim 27, wherein said assembly is formed of
tin, aluminium or other metal and includes a lining of plastic, PE,
or like material.
31. The container of claim 27, wherein an end portion of said
assembly is crimped or shaped to engage a correspondingly shaped
undercut in said external wall of said neck.
32. The container of claim 27, wherein said external wall of said
neck further includes at least one crush rib which is adapted to
provide a seal between said assembly to said body.
33. A mounting cup and collar assembly formed of malleable
material, which is adapted to be secured to a container for
dispensing an aerosol product, the container being formed of
plastics material such as PET, and, including a shaped neck
defining an opening having internal and external walls, said
external wall including at least one groove, indentation or
undercut therearound, the assembly being shaped to straddle the
internal and external walls of the opening and be secured to the
external wall of said neck of said container by being crimped to
form at least one swaged ring for engagement with a correspondingly
shaped groove, indentation or undercut in said external wall of
said neck.
34. The mounting cup and collar assembly of claim 33, further
including a skirt depending therefrom which is adapted to be
secured to the external wall of said neck.
35. The mounting cup and collar assembly of claim 33, wherein said
assembly is of unitary construction.
36. The mounting cup and collar assembly of claim 33, wherein said
assembly is formed of tin, aluminium or other metal material and
includes a lining of plastic PE, PP, or like on an inner surface
thereof.
37. The mounting cup and collar assembly of claim 33, wherein said
assembly is adapted to sealingly engage with at least one crush rib
provided on the external wall of said neck.
38. A method of forming a container for dispensing an aerosol
product, including the steps of: forming a container body, or
preform, including a neck defining an opening, the neck including
internal and external walls, said external wall including at least
one groove, indentation or undercut therearound; inserting a
mounting cup and collar assembly over said neck such that it
straddles internal and external walls of said opening; and,
securing said assembly to the external wall of said neck, whereby
at least one swaged ring on said assembly is crimped about a
correspondingly shaped groove or indentation provided in said
external wall of said container.
39. The method of forming a container of claim 38, wherein said
mounting cup and collar assembly is of unitary construction.
40. The method of forming a container of claim 38, wherein said
mounting cup and collar assembly includes a lining of plastics, PE,
PP, or like material.
41. The method of forming a container of claim 38, wherein, in said
securing step, an end portion of said assembly is crimped or
otherwise engaged with a correspondingly shaped undercut provided
in said external wall of said neck.
42. The method of forming a container of claim 38, wherein, in said
securing step, said assembly is adapted to engage with at least one
crush rib formed on said external wall.
43. The method of forming a container of claim 38, wherein when
said preform is used in said forming step, said method further
includes the step of stretch blowmoulding said preform to form said
container.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol container, and
in particular, a container for dispensing a pressurised product
which is formed of PET or like plastics material. The present
invention also relates, in particular, to a mounting cup and collar
assembly for such a container, and, to methods of manufacturing the
container and the mounting cup and collar assembly therefor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not,
and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of
suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general
knowledge.
[0003] The Applicant has previously invented and developed various
aerosol containers, manufactured of PET and like plastics material,
which overcome a number of deficiencies and provide significant
improvements over the then prior art. This includes the Applicant's
earlier International Patent Application Nos. PCT/AU2005/001474 and
PCT/AU2006/00614, which have evolved into various National/Regional
Patents, including U.S. Pat No. 8,025,189.
[0004] These earlier inventions relate to a container, which
includes a body of plastics material, to which a collar is attached
thereto, to support a dispensing valve. The collar is provided, at
least in part, to straddle the internal and external walls of the
container, so as to provide structural integrity to the neck of the
container and thereby facilitate securement of the dispensing valve
components thereto. Whilst this arrangement provides significant
improvements, which facilitates the use of plastic PET type
containers rather than traditional metal containers for the supply
of pressurised/aerosol products therein, they primarily sought to
conform with the then traditional manufacturing, assembly and
filling operations which existed at the time, whilst enabling a
transition to the use of more environmentally friendly PET plastics
materials for the supply of aerosol products. Plastics containers
require careful considerations over metal containers, to provide a
safe container capable of withstanding the relatively high
pressures provided within such containers without cracking, leaking
etc.
[0005] In the Applicant's earlier product, as described in the
aforementioned Patent Applications, the body was typically stretch
blow moulded from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or like plastics
material, and had a shaped neck surrounding an opening. The collar
was also injection moulded and was shaped to be snap-fitted or
screwed to the shaped neck of the body about the opening.
[0006] Whilst the Applicant's earlier Patent application provided
significant advantages over the prior art, the Applicant has now
identified alternative versions of the PET aerosol container which
has differences from the Applicant's earlier products and
processes, and, which provides enhanced benefits thereover.
[0007] The Applicant has invented significant improvements in
relation to the maintaining attachment of the collar to the
container during the manufacturing process, and, has achieved a
design which has comparable characteristics to prior art metal and
aluminum containers, whilst having the advantages of using PET type
plastics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention seeks to provide a container for
dispensing an aerosol product, and in particular, a mounting cup
and collar assembly therefor, which overcomes at least some of the
disadvantages of the prior art.
[0009] The present invention also seeks to provide a container and
a mounting cup and collar assembly therefor which has manufacturing
and/or assembly line advantages over known methods.
[0010] In one broad form, the present invention provides a
container for dispensing an aerosol product, including: [0011] a
body, formed of plastics material such as PET, including a neck
defining an opening having internal and external walls; and, [0012]
a mounting cup and collar assembly, formed of malleable material,
which is shaped to straddle the internal and external walls of said
opening, and be secured to said external wall of said neck.
[0013] Preferably, said mounting cup and collar assembly includes a
skirt depending therefrom which is adapted to be secured to the
external wall of said neck.
[0014] Also preferably, said mounting cup and collar assembly is of
unitary construction.
[0015] Preferably said mounting cup and collar assembly is secured
to said external wall of said neck by being crimped thereto.
[0016] Also preferably said assembly is formed of tin, aluminium or
other metal and includes a lining of plastic, PE, PP, or like
material.
[0017] Preferably, said external wall includes at least one groove
or undercut for securement of said assembly thereto.
[0018] Also preferably said assembly is crimped or otherwise shaped
to form at least one swaged ring for engagement with a
correspondingly shaped groove or indentation in said external wall
of said neck.
[0019] Preferably, an end portion of said assembly is crimped or
shaped to engage a correspondingly shaped undercut in said external
wall of said neck.
[0020] Also preferably, said external wall of said neck further
includes at least one crush rib which is adapted to provide a seal
between said assembly to said body.
[0021] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a
mounting cup and collar assembly formed of malleable material,
which is adapted to be secured to a container for dispensing an
aerosol product, the container being formed of plastics material
such as PET and including a shaped neck defining an opening having
internal and external walls, the assembly being shaped to straddle
the internal and external walls of the opening and be secured to
the external wall of said neck of said container.
[0022] Preferably, the assembly further includes a skirt depending
therefrom which is adapted to be secured to the external wall of
said neck.
[0023] Also preferably said assembly is of unitary
construction.
[0024] Preferably said assembly is secured to said container by
being crimped thereto.
[0025] Also preferably, said assembly is formed of tin, aluminium
or other metal material and includes a lining of plastic PE, PP, or
like on an inner surface thereof.
[0026] Preferably, said assembly is adapted to be secured to at
least one groove or undercut provided in said container.
[0027] Also preferably, said assembly is crimped or otherwise
shaped to form at least one swaged ring for engagement with a
correspondingly shaped surface in said external wall of said
neck.
[0028] Preferably, said assembly is crimped or otherwise shaped to
engage a correspondingly shaped undercut in said external wall of
said neck.
[0029] Also preferably, said assembly is adapted to sealingly
engage with at least one crush rib provided on the external wall of
said neck.
[0030] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a
method of forming a container for dispensing an aerosol product,
including the steps of:
[0031] forming a container body, or preform, including a neck
defining an opening;
[0032] inserting a mounting cup and collar assembly over said neck
such that it straddles internal and external walls of said opening;
and,
[0033] securing said assembly to the external wall of said
neck.
[0034] Preferably, said securing step includes crimping said
assembly to the external wall of said neck.
[0035] Also preferably, said mounting cup and collar assembly is of
unitary construction.
[0036] Preferably, said mounting cup and collar assembly includes a
lining of plastics PE, PP, or like material.
[0037] Also preferably, in said securing step at least one swaged
ring on said assembly engages a correspondingly shaped groove or
indentation provided in said external wall of said container.
[0038] Preferably, in said securing step, an end portion of said
assembly is crimped or otherwise engaged with a correspondingly
shaped undercut provided in said external wall of said neck.
[0039] Also preferably, in said securing step, said assembly is
adapted to engage with at least one crush rib formed on said
external wall.
[0040] Also preferably, when said preform is used in said forming
step, said method further includes the step of stretch blowmoulding
said preform to form said container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the following detailed description of preferred but non-limiting
embodiments thereof, described in connection with the accompanying
drawings, wherein;
[0042] FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view, partly cut-away,
of a container with the collar, mounting cup and dispensing valve,
fitted thereon, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0043] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the collar
before being crimped to the neck;
[0044] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a neck
portion of the container of FIG. 1;
[0045] FIG. 4 shoes an enlarged cross-sectional view of the
mounting cup;
[0046] FIG. 5 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of the
dispensing valve, mounting cup, collar and neck portion of the
container;
[0047] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the collar assembled
to the neck of the container;
[0048] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view showing how the mounting cup
and valve are attached to the collar fitted onto the neck portion
of the container;
[0049] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the components fitted
and crimped to the container shown in FIG. 1;
[0050] FIG. 9 shows an exploded perspective view of a container and
the unitary collar and mounting cup assembly, in accordance with an
alternatively preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 10 shows an exploded perspective view of the embodiment
of FIG. 9, but with the collar and mounting cup assembly partly cut
away;
[0052] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the single
piece mounting cup and collar assembly component (after being
shaped);
[0053] FIG. 12 shows an exploded cross-sectional view, showing how
the assembly of FIG. 11 is attached to the neck of the
container;
[0054] FIG. 13 shows the single piece mounting collar assembly
installed on the neck of the container;
[0055] FIG. 14 illustrates the single piece mounting cup and collar
assembly and dispensing valve of FIGS. 11 and 12 installed on and
crimped to the container; and,
[0056] FIG. 15 details an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 14,
showing the interactions between the mounting cup and collar
assembly, and, the external wall of the neck of the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0057] Throughout the drawings, like numerals will be used to
identify similar features, except where expressly otherwise
indicated.
[0058] The present invention relates to a container for dispensing
a pressurised or aerosol product wherein the container (1) includes
a body portion (2), a collar (4), a mounting cup (5) and a
dispensing valve (6). The body portion (2) includes a base (3) at a
first end thereof, and a neck portion (10) at a second end thereof.
The neck portion (10) further preferably includes one or more ribs
(12).
[0059] For the purpose of explanation, the collar (4) may be
divided into a first, second, third and fourth sections, labelled
14, 16, 18 and 20, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the inner surface (22) of the
collar (4) is preferably provided with a plastic, rubber,
polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or like coating to assist
creating a seal between the collar (4) and the neck portion (10) of
the container (1), when assembled.
[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 3, and also to assist in explanation,
the neck portion (10) of the container (1) may be divided into a
first, second, third, fourth, fifth and six sections, labelled 24,
26, 28, 30, 32 and 34, respectively. When the collar (4) is
attached onto the neck portion (10) such as, by crimping, the
lining (22) provided on the inner surface of the collar (4) seals
against the neck (10).
[0062] A mounting cup (5), such as shown in FIG. 4 may also be
provided with a plastic coating (36) on it's inner surface to seal
with the other components of the container (1), when assembled.
This coating may be of PP, PE or other suitable material.
[0063] The crimping process of this embodiment of the invention may
be performed both externally and internally relative to the collar
and the neck portion of the container. The external crimping
process would crimp respective sections of the collar to respective
sections of the neck portion. The internal crimping process would
crimp the dispensing valve mounting cup against section of the
collar and also crimp it against respective sections of the neck
portion.
[0064] The container (1), as shown in FIG. 1 is preferably formed
of plastics material such as PET. The body (2), including its base
(3) and neck portion (10) are preferably integrally formed by
stretch blow moulding plastics material, such as a polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) from a preform, as described in the Applicant's
earlier aforementioned Patent specifications. The neck portion (10)
may include one or more ribs (12).
[0065] The improvement according to this embodiment of the
invention is primarily in relation to the collar (4) and the neck
portion (10). The collar (4) according to the present invention is
made of metal, such as tin or aluminum or the like materials.
[0066] This embodiment of the collar (4) of the present invention
is of different shape to the collar illustrated in the Applicant's
aforementioned Patent. The assembly of the collar (4), and
thereafter the dispensing valve (6), onto the container is perhaps
best illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8, but with reference to FIGS. 2 to
4.
[0067] The first section (14) of the collar (4) is shaped such that
the mounting cup (5) with dispensing valve (6) attached may be
crimped thereto, to thereafter ensure that the various components
are not separated from each other when the container is in use. A
second section (16) of the collar (4) is shaped and configured to
fit the dispensing valve mounting cup (5). A third section (18) of
the collar (4) is a section extending from the second section (16)
towards a fourth section (20) as shown in FIG. 2.
[0068] The fourth section (20) of the collar (4) is basically an
elongated section which actually extends beyond the length of the
first section (14). Reference is again made to FIG. 2 wherein the
inner surface 22 is shown to be provided with a plastic coating.
According to the present invention, the said plastic coating (22)
is preferably designed to be between around 200 to 300 microns in
size. This plastic coating (22) may be applied when manufacturing
the collar (4) using known methods. The plastic coating (22) is
provided to create a seal between the collar (4) and the neck
portion (10). Another purpose of the said plastic coating (22) is
to ensure that the top and external portion of the neck portion
(10) is not damaged during the crimping process.
[0069] It should be appreciated that the said collar (4) is
preferably formed of material which is capable of withstanding high
pressures, but at the same time soft enough to be bent into any
desired shape. A malleable metal material, such as tins, aluminium
or steel are examples of suitable materials.
[0070] Reference is made to FIG. 3 wherein is shown therein the
neck portion (10) according to the present invention. Similar to
the collar (4), the neck portion (10) could be divided into a
number of sections. A first section (24) of the neck portion (10)
includes a straight portion which is designed to absorb the force
during the crimping process in which the dispensing valve mounting
cup (5) is crimped to the collar (4) and wherein by doing so the
plastic coating (22) on the internal portion of the collar (4) is
squeezed against this first section (24) of the neck portion (10)
to effectively seal the components in a fluid-tight manner. It
should be noted that this first section (24) of the neck portion
(10) is designed and configured to be the thickest section on the
neck portion (10) so that it may withstand the force and pressure
applied during the crimping process. The neck portion (10) further
includes a second section (26) wherein this section is provided to
act as a first seal between the collar (4) and the container when
the collar (4) is attached to the container neck portion, in which
during this process, the collar (4) is pressed down mechanically by
a crimper.
[0071] The neck portion (10) further includes a third section (28)
wherein this section is a ribbed section, including one or more
`crush ribs` to provide a second and further seal between the
collar (4) and the container during the crimping process, similar,
to the description of the second section (26) of neck portion (10).
The neck portion (10) further includes a fourth section (30) which
is designed and configured to hold and secure the collar (4) to the
container during the crimping process. This is to further ensure
that the collar (4) is not separated from the container at high
pressures. The fifth section (32) of the neck portion (10) is
designed and configured to provide similar effect as the fourth
section (30). This section is provided to further enhance the
capability of not allowing the collar (4) to be separated from the
container at high pressures. Finally, the sixth section (34) of the
neck portion (10) is provided for manufacturing purpose which is a
standard feature in container manufacturing process as well as to
engage a cap (not shown) to the container (1).
[0072] It will be appreciated that when the collar (4) is attached
onto the neck portion (10), the plastic coating (22) which is
provided on the internal portion of the sections (14, 16, 18, 20)
of the collar (4) would be crimped to the sections (24, 26, 28, 30,
32) of the neck portion (10) thus creating a seal and to ensure
that the collar (4) is not separated from the container at high
pressure.
[0073] It will also be appreciated that the dispensing valve
mounting cup (5) is also provided with a plastic coating (36) on
its inner surface. Reference can be made to FIG. 4 wherein is shown
therein the location where the plastic coating (36) is provided.
The plastic coating (36) is provided on an inner surface of the
mounting cup (5) to provide a seal between the mounting cup (5) and
the collar (4).
[0074] Reference is again made to FIGS. 5 to 8, which show how the
various components may be assembled. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows the
various components in exploded cross-sectional form, including the
neck (10) of the container (1), the collar (4), the mounting cup
(5) and the dispensing valve (6).
[0075] It will be understood that, in this embodiment, crimping is
performed both externally and internally. This action will result
in the section of the collar (4) as described earlier to be crimped
onto the sections of the neck portion (10) as described earlier.
The external crimping process would crimp the section (20) of the
collar (4) to the sections (30 and 32) of the neck portion (10).
The internal crimping process would crimp the dispensing valve
mounting cup (5) against section (14) of the collar (4) and further
crimping it against section (24) of the neck portion (10).
[0076] Once the dispensing valve mounting cup (5) is securely
crimped to the collar (4) and the collar (4) is securely crimped to
the neck portion (10), the container is now assembled.
[0077] It will be appreciated that, whilst particular embodiment
has been hereinbefore described, variations and modifications may
be made to the shape and configuration of the collar (4) and neck
portion (10), whilst still achieving the advantages of the
invention. All such variations and modifications should be
considered to be within the scope of the invention as hereinbefore
described.
[0078] It will be appreciated that the method and manufacture of
the container is similar to that described in the Applicant's
aforementioned application, with exception that the collar (4) is
differently formed to achieve the advantages hereinbefore
described.
[0079] As mentioned earlier, both the collar (4) and the dispensing
valve mounting cup (5) is made of metal and therefore, in order to
secure a good seal between two metal items, plastic coating (36) is
provided therein. Similarly, plastic coating (22) is also provided
as a seal between the collar (4) and the neck portion (10) of the
container. Alternatively, other means of sealing could also be
provided in order to provide the same effect as the plastic coating
(22, 36). This could be selected from natural or synthetic
materials.
[0080] The embodiment of the invention, as described in FIGS. 1 to
8, may be summarised as follows:
[0081] The container for dispensing a pressurized product includes
a body portion (2), a collar (4), a mounting cup (5) and a
dispensing valve (6) and wherein the body portion (2), includes a
base (3) at a first end thereof, and a neck portion (10) at a
second end thereof and wherein the neck portion (10) further
includes one or more ribs (12) characterized in that wherein the
collar (4) is divided into a first, second, third and fourth
sections (14, 16, 18 and 20) wherein: [0082] (i) the first section
(14) of the collar (4) is designed specifically to fit a crimping
process of the dispensing valve mounting cup (5) to the collar (4)
and thereafter ensuring that the dispensing valve mounting cup (5)
is not separated from the collar (4) when the container is in use;
[0083] (ii) the second section (16) of the collar (4) is designed
and configured to specifically fit the dispensing valve mounting
cup (5); [0084] (iii) the third section (18) of the collar (4) is a
section extended from the second section (16) towards a fourth
section (20); and, [0085] (iv) the fourth section (20) of the
collar (4) is an elongated section which extends beyond the length
of the first section (14). and wherein the internal portion of the
collar (4) is provided with a plastic coating (22) to create a seal
between the collar (4) and the neck portion (10).
[0086] In this container, the neck portion (10) is divided into a
first, second, third, fourth, fifth and six sections (24, 26, 28,
30, 32 and 34) and wherein: [0087] (i) The first section (24) of
the neck portion (10) includes a straight section which is designed
to absorb the force during the crimping process in which the
dispensing valve mounting cup (5) is crimped to the collar (4) and
wherein the plastic coating (22) on the internal portion of the
collar (4) is squeezed onto the first section (24) of the neck
portion (10) to create a seal; [0088] (ii) the second section (26)
is provided to act as a first seal between the collar (4) and the
container when the collar (4) is attached to the container; [0089]
(iii) the third section (28) is a ribbed section and is designed
and configured to provide a second and third seal between the
collar (4) and the container during the crimping process; [0090]
(iv) the fourth section (30) is designed and configured to hold and
secure the collar (4) to the container during the crimping process;
[0091] (v) the fifth section (32) of the neck portion (10) is
designed and configured to provide similar effect as the fourth
section (30) to further enhance the capability of not allowing the
collar (4) to be separated from the container at high pressures;
and, [0092] (vi) the sixth section (34) of the neck portion (10) is
provided for manufacturing purpose, as well as to engage a cap.
[0093] In this container, the collar (4) is attached onto the neck
portion (10), the plastic coating (22) which is provided on the
internal portion of the sections (14, 16, 18, 20) of the collar (4)
would be crimped to the sections (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) of the neck
portion (10) thus creating an ideal seal and to ensure that the
collar (4) is not separated from the container at high
pressure.
[0094] In this container, the dispensing valve mounting cup (5) is
also provided with a plastic coating (36) at the internal portion
of the dispensing valve mounting cup (5) as to provide a seal
between the mounting cup (5) and the collar (4).
[0095] In this container, the crimping process is done both
externally and internally onto the collar (4) and the neck portion
(10).
[0096] In this container, the external crimping process would crimp
the section (20) of the collar (4) to the sections (30 and 32) of
the neck portion (10).
[0097] In this container, the internal crimping process would crimp
the dispensing valve mounting cup (5) against section (14) of the
collar (4) and further crimping it against section (24) of the neck
portion (10).
[0098] In this container, natural or synthetic materials can be
used to provide the same effect as the plastic coating (22,
36).
[0099] In another embodiment of the container, the collar (4), the
mounting cup (5) and the dispensing valve (6) may be provided as a
single piece and wherein section (16) of the collar (4) is tightly
fitted or wedged onto the section (26) of the neck portion (10)
therefore providing no gap between the section (16) of the collar
(4) and the section (26) of the neck portion (10).
[0100] In this embodiment, the said collar (4) includes a hard
enough material to withstand pressure but at the same time soft
enough to be bent into any desired shape.
[0101] This alternative but also preferred embodiment of the
present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 15. In this
alternative embodiment of the invention, a single piece mounting
cup and collar assembly is utilised in place of the separate collar
and the mounting cup assembly shown in the earlier embodiments.
[0102] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 15, the container in accordance with
this embodiment of the invention is similar to that of the
embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8, but using a single-piece collar and
mounting cup assembly (53), as detailed in FIG. 11. A container (1)
formed in accordance with this embodiment, includes a body (2)
formed of plastics material such as PET. The body includes a neck
(10) which defines an opening (50) of the container (1). The
opening includes an internal wall (51), and, an external wall (52).
A unitary mounting cup and collar assembly (53), the profile of
which is shown in enlarged form in FIG. 11, straddles the internal
and external walls (51 and 52) of the opening (50). The mounting
cup and collar assembly (53) includes a central orifice (54) into
which the valve stem (62) etc, (for dispensing the
pressurised/aerosol product provided in the container) may be
incorporated and secured thereto.
[0103] The mounting cup and collar assembly (53), such as
illustrated in FIG. 11, is preferably formed of malleable material,
such as tin, aluminium or other metal material. As will be
recognised by a person skilled in the art, it should be preferably
produced of material which does not interact with the contents of
the container, etc., whilst being capable of being crimped for
attachment to the container. It may preferably include a lining of
plastic, PE, PP, or like material which may assist in minimising
reaction with the contents, and, to also assist in sealing the
components of the container, that is, to provide a seal between the
assembly and the valve, and, between the assembly and the container
as will be further described hereinafter.
[0104] The mounting cup and collar assembly (53) is preferably
shaped such that it may be easily inserted over the neck (10) of
the container (1) and then be secured thereto, as shown in FIGS. 12
and 13. FIGS. 14 and 15 then show how the mounting cup and collar
assembly (53) may be crimped to the external wall (52) of the neck
(10) of the container (1). For this purpose, and as shown in
enlarged form in FIG. 15, the external wall (52) preferably
includes at least one groove (55) or undercut (56) for crimping of
the assembly (53) therewith.
[0105] FIGS. 14 and 15 show a groove (55) formed in the neck (10)
of the container (1). A region (57) is swaged around the periphery
of the mounting cup and collar assembly (53) for securement of the
mounting cup and collar assembly (53) to the external wall (52) of
the neck (10) of the container (1). An end portion (58) of the
mounting cup and collar assembly (53) is also preferably crimped or
deformed inwardly as shown to engage a corresponding undercut (56)
in the external wall (52) of the neck (10) of the container (1).
This facilitates retention of the assembly (53) onto the neck (10),
and also, operates to conceal the end (58) of the assembly (53)
which may typically be sharp and be prone to cause injury.
[0106] As best illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the external wall
(52) of the neck (10) preferably further includes at least one
crush rib (59) thereon, which provides improved sealing engagement
with the assembly (53) by compressing the plastic, PE, or PP liner
(60).
[0107] It will therefore be understood by persons skilled in the
art that the present invention therefore provides a unique mounting
cup and collar assembly (53), which is distinguished from the prior
art in both form and function, particularly as it is produced in a
single piece form. This single piece assembly (53) preferably
incorporates a dual layer construction of metal (61) and liner (60)
which assists in the sealing of the components of the
container.
[0108] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that by
utilisation of this single piece mounting cup and collar assembly
(53), manufacture of the overall container (1) is greatly
simplified. In manufacture of the container in accordance with the
present invention, it will be appreciated that the container body
(1), or a preform therefor, may firstly be constructed to have a
neck (10) defining an opening (50). The mounting cup and collar
assembly (53) may then be attached over the neck (10) of the
container or preform, such that it straddles the internal and
external walls of the container. The mounting cup and collar
assembly may then be secured to the assembly, by crimping it to the
external wall of the neck. This is distinguished from the prior art
whereby crimping a prior art mounting cup to a container is
traditionally done to the internal wall of the container.
[0109] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the manufacture of the container in accordance with the present
invention therefore avoids the necessity for any glues or sealants
which has clear manufacturing advantages not only due to the
elimination of the glues, etc. which in itself would save costs,
but also, effectively eliminate additional manufacturing steps
involved in applying the glues or adhesives or sealants.
[0110] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as
partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together,
even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of
values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring individually to each separate value falling within the
range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value
is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention
and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless
otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be
construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the
practice of the invention.
[0111] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
[0112] All references, including publications, patent applications,
and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if each reference were individually and
specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set
forth in its entirety herein.
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